Railroad switch and signal mechanism.



No. 764,292. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. 0. M. HURST.

RAILROAD swmu AND SIGNAL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEG-1 7, 1903.

2 SHEETS+BHBET 1 N0 MODEL.

wanes aw 9i, Q% @M7-, E I H E 'No. 764,292.. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. G. M. HURST.

RAILROAD SWITCH AND SIGNAL MECHANISM. m

APPLIOATION FILED 1130.17. 1903.

no MODEL 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wane/05w NTTED STATES Patented July 5, 1904s,

CHARLES M. HURST, OF RAVVLINS, i VYOMING.

RAILROAD SWITCH AND SIGNAL MECHANlSIVi.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,292, dated July 5, 1904:.

A li ati fil d December 17, 1903- SerialN0.185,566. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that 1, CHARLES M. I-lURs'r, a citizen of the United-States, and a resident of Rawlins, county of Carbon and State of VVyoming, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad Switch and Signal Mechanism, of which the following is a specification and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of railroad switches and signals in which the shifting mechanism is arranged to be set'by means of a suitable contacting member on the engine or car; and the object of this invention is to provide mechanism of this kind in which the switch and signal setting devices are compactly arranged and of a simple and stable construction and in which the shifting members operated by the passing engine or car are so arranged as to positively and uniformly operate with a minimum amount of shock action, whereby to avoid the danger of such parts becoming broken or deranged by a quick action thereon of the engine or car contacting member.

This invention also comprehends the construction of a shifting mechanism and operating-lever devices coacting therewith capable of setting the shifting mechanism when moved to either direction and having means whereby it is set to its normal position after operation in either direction, whereby to maintain a proper relative position to such shiftingmechanism and have a limited free cushioning movement to overcome a too sudden engagement with the said shifting mechanism.

In its subordinate features this invention embodies certain details of construction and peculiar combination of parts, such as will be iii-st described in detail and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved switch mechanism, the switch being shown at an open position and the top of the casinginclosing the shifting mechanism being shown removed. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the standing lever at the left being shown depressed in dotted lines in the direction for shifting the switch mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view oi the shifting mechanism, showing the parts set to move the -switch-lever to the position indicated by the arrow, the shifting-levers being shown in their normal position. Flg. 4 1s a similar view illustrating the switch-lever at the left ,Slllflllng' the switch mechanism to move the switch-lever in the direction opposlte to that shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the switch or semaphore stand. Fig. 6 is a detail View of one end of one of the slide bars hereinafter referred to. Fig. 7 is aperspective view of the portion of the slide-bars provided with shoulders or flanges for guid ing the operating device, and Fig. 8 is a side view of the slide-operating device.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates the main-track rails, 2 2 the sidingrails, and 3 3 the switch-rails, all of which are arranged in the usual manner, the switchrails being connected by the transverse shifting-bar 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

Suitably connected on the cross-ties and extending over the bar at is a casing or hoes ing 5, having a removable top 5 and openings 5" in the ends. which incloses the shift ing mechanism and protects same from the weather. The shifting mechanism consists of a pair of longitudinally-disposed independently-movable bars 6, each having an internal rack portion 6 (which oppose each other) in termediate oi the ends 6, which are held in close relation to each other and each of which has a pair of spaced vertical sockets or apertures 7, the purpose of which will presently appear.

8 indicates a large cog-disk, which has short stub-axles S" journaled in the casing and held to mesh with the opposing rack-faces of outer end of the pitman or link-bar 10 connects,

the'inner end of which connects with the disk 8, it being obvious that as such disk 8 is rocked in reverse directions the signal will be turned to indicate the position of the switch.

By referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be noticed the ends of the bars 6 are each formed with triangular cut-out portions or seats 7*, whereby when the two slides are moved to their adjusted positions in either direction they jointly form staggered or Zigzag guideways 7", which lead alternately first to one socket or aperture 7 in one of the bars 6 and then to the next succeeding socket 7 of the opposite bar 6. With each end of the slide-bars 6 connects a reciprocating shifter-rod 11, which rods extend in opposite directions, are movable in suitable guides on the ties, and at their outer ends are each connected with a verticallyprojecting trip-lever 12, which rises up in the path of a lug or projection held pendent from the engine or car frame, suitably-arranged retractile springs 13 being employed for returning the rods 11 to their normal position. The inner ends of the rods 11 have pendent beveled lugs 11, which travel in the guideways 7 and when the rods 11 are moved in either direction engage the apertures 7. Normally the lug ends of the rods 11 are held to rest in the guideways 7 at a point midway the central pair of sockets 7 7, as indicated by rr :1; in Fig. 3, the purpose of which is to hold them in proper position to move into engagement with the proper one of the apertures when shifted and also to provide for a limited free play of the rods as they are en,-

gaged by the operating-lug on the engine and car, and thereby avoid a too great shock action thereof on the slide-bar 6, which action is further avoided by reason of forming the said rods 11 with spring-joints 13, which serve to cushion the plunger or impact action of the lugs 11 as they engage the apertures 7 in the slides 6.

So far as described it will be readily seen that should the shifting mechanism be in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the rod 11 at the left to be pushed in the direction indicated by arrow the lug 11 would as it is pushed forward engage the aperture 7 and in consequence push the corresponding bar 6 forward, partiallyrotate the disk 8, and set the signal, it being understood that the opposite bar 6 would be moved correspondingly in an opposite direction through the engagement of the cog-disk with its rack-face, the rod 11 and its lug 11 returning to their normal position by the retractile springs heretofore referred to. Assuming the parts to be now in the position shown in Fig. 4c and the rod 11 at the left be again pushed forward, its lug would now engage the aperture 7 in the other slide-bar and move the shifting bars in a direction reverse to that before described, it being understood the rod 11 at the right operates in a like manner. Thus the rod alternately engages first with the socket or aperture in the bar and then with the next or adjacent aperture in the opposing bar, such alternate operation being effected whether the rod is pulled or pushed. To render such action of the rod and its lug positive and also to facilitate its moving to its release or normal position, the outer aperture in each bar has a forwardly-inclined and reversely-tapering groove 7, while the inner apertures have similarly rearwardly-inclined grooves 7, as best shown in Fig. 6. By providing such arrangement of grooves it will be impossible for the lugs 11 to take a wrong course as they are moved backward or forward.

The disk 8 meshes with a smaller cog-disk 15, which has an adjustable wrist-pin 16, to which connects one end of a link 17, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the switch-bar 4, the wrist-pin connection of the bar being so that in either semireverse rotation of the disk 15 the same will pass the center line and serve to hold the bar 4 from any free movement, it being obvious the adjustment of the wrist-pin will provide for a proper throw of the switch-bar 4;.

It will be understood that when the bars 6 move or slide on each other the heads 11 of the operating-bars 11 are not pinched, since the form of said heads enables them to rise out of the Zigzag groove and rest upon the adjacent closed or higher part until they drop back into the former position without themselves moving forward or back. The ribs 6 aid in preventing lateral movement of the heads 11 while thus resting on the higher parts thatintervene the grooves when the bars 6 are moved as above described.

18 indicates a supplemental tripper-rod mounted between the siding-rails, the inner end of which is pivotally connected to a swinglever 19, fulcrumed at 20 and pivotally joined to the rod 11.

The signal standard or post has a hand-lever 20, which can be swung down and forms a crank whereby to turn the signal and the switch devices by hand, normally held locked up at an inoperative position.

In several figures, notably in Fig. 7, I show guide ribs or flanges 6 arranged on the faces of the slides 6 parallel to their side edges and opposite the obtuse angles that intervene the cut-out portions or seats 7 These ribs serve to guide the lug or head 11 (see Fig. 8) of the operating-bar 11 when passing@'. 0., sliding from one groove to the adjacent one. In Fig.

7 the slides 6 are shown adjusted, so that the angles of the guideway are opposite, and hence the guide-ribs 7 are also directly opposite.

Slight changes in and modifications of the several details might be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

It is obvious that the shifting mechanism herein described may be used for actuating switches and signals simultaneously or separately.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar, a pair of slide-bars, means for transmitting motion from the slide-bars to the switch-bar, a trip, and a connection operated by the trip for engaging the slide-bars in alternation.

2. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar, a pair of oppositely-reciprocating slidebars,means for transmitting motion from the slide-bars to the switch-bar, a trip, and a rod operated by the trip for engaging the bars in alternation.

3. In aswitch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar,a pair of parallel slide-bars,a socket in each bar, guide-grooves in the adjacent faces of the bars and forming a zigzag path between the said sockets, a connection between the bars and the switch-bar, a trip, a rod operated by the trip and engaging the sockets in the slidebars in alternation in either direction, and means operated by each bar for moving the other bar in the opposite direction.

1. In combination, a shifting bar, a pair of slide-bars,means for transmitting motion from the slide-bars to the shifting bar, a trip, and a connection operated by the trip for engaging the slide-bars in alternation.

5. In a switch and signal device, in combination, a pair of slide-bars, a trip, connection for operating the slide-bars in alternation, and a switch-bar and signal-bar each operatively connected with the slide-bars.

6. In combination with the switch-bar; a reversely-rotatable shifting mechanism; a reciprocating means operatively connected therewith for imparting a reverse rotary action thereto; a rod for engaging the reciprocating means having a trip member to be engaged by the passing engine or car, said rod having a limited free movement, and means for returning it to its normal position after each operation, as set forth.

7. In a switch mechanism as described, the combination with the switch-bar; the signal, and the rotary shifting devices connected with the signal and the switch-bar; of a reciproeating mechanism engaging the rotary shifting slide-bars; a combined pusher and pull rod operated by the passing engine or car, and means for shifting such rod to alternately engage first one slide-bar and then the other, substantially as described.

8. In a switch mechanism of the character described; the combination with a switclrbar; a pair of reciprocating slide-bars having opposing cog-sections; a rotary cog-disk engaging such cog-sections; intermediate connections joining such cog-disk and the switch-bar and longitudin all y-disposed shifting-rods having trip portions to be engaged by the car or engine, and means for shifting such bars into alternate engagement with the slide-bars as specified.

9. In a switch mechanism as described, the combination with the switch-bar, and the retary shifting devices connected thereto, including the cog-disk 8; of the alternately-movable rack slide-bars engaging the disk 8, said bars having extensions provided with oppositely-arranged shaped seats, having apertures 7 and inclined ways leading thereto; and the rods 11 having pendent lugs 1.1 to engage the said seats and the apertures 7, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

10. In aswitch mechanism as described; the combination with the signal device, and the switch-bar 4:, of the housing, the alternatelymovable slide-rods 6 having opposing rack portions, the disk 8 engaging such rack porti one; a connection joining such disk and signal device; a cog-gear l5 meshing with the disk 8; a link connection adjustably connected at one end to such disk 15 and pivotally connected at the other end to the switch-bar, and means for alternately shifting the slide-bars, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

11. Ina switch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar, a pair of oppositely-reciprocating rack-bars, a rotatable pinion between and meshing with the rack-bars, a trip, means operated by the trip for engaging the rack-bars in alternation, and connection between the rack-bars and the switch-bar.

12. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar, a pair of parallel rack-bars, a socket in each bar, a cut-out portion at each side of each socket along the adjacent edges of the bars whereby a guide-groove is formed between the sockets, a lug engaging the sockets in alternation, a trip, connection between the trip and the lug, a rotatable pinion between and meshing with the rack-bars whereby motion is imparted from one to the other, and connection between the rack-bars and the switch-bar.

13. In a switch mechanism, in combination, a switch-bar, a pair of parallel rack-bars, a pair of sockets in each bar, a cut-out portion 1., Hm ur-am a a .L- 4.1. ni- 1- ....1 at each side of each socket, the cut-out por tions jointly forming guide-grooves between the sockets, a trip, a rod operated by the trip and having a lug moving in the guides and adapted to engage the sockets oi. the bars in alternation, a pinion between and meshing with the rackbars, and connection between the pinion and the switch-bar.

CHARLES M. HURST.

WVitnesses:

H. (J. TEAXBRAY, J. S. MACDONALD. 

